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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

David Tepper’s decision to pass on CJ Stroud has fans wondering if he’s auditioning for the role of “Worst NFL Owner“. Meanwhile, down in Houston, CJ Stroud is orchestrating a rookie symphony that’s leaving defenses in the dust. With a whopping 3,540 passing yards in just 12 games, Stroud is on a touchdown spree that’s making the NFL record books quiver. A pace that could see him chucking the pigskin for an eye-popping 5,015 yards by the end of the season.

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To put things in perspective, that’s Stroud stepping into the ring with a sledgehammer and smashing records to bits. Andrew Luck’s 2012 yardage? A distant memory, as Stroud eyes the crown in just 15 games.

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CJ Stroud: Precision personified with 1.20% interception rate

In Week 13, the rookie QB rollercoaster took a wild ride. Panthers‘ Bryce Young and Titans’ Will Levis had an uphill battle, that they lost. But CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans? Oh, they were the stars of the show, snagging a much-needed W against the Denver Broncos.

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Now, CJ Stroud is practically rewriting the rookie QB handbook. With a solid 20 touchdowns so far, he’s got the playbook open for a potential 28 by the end of the season. And if that happens, he’ll be second only to Justin Herbert’s legendary 31 in 2020.

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But it’s not just about the touchdowns; Stroud’s precision is a thing of beauty. Only 1.20 percent of his passes end up in enemy hands, making him the second-best in rookie history. Dak Prescott might have the top spot with 0.87 percent in 2016, but Stroud’s gunning for that record like a wide receiver going for a game-winning catch.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the Texans’ Cinderella story. From perennial underdogs to playoff contenders, and guess who’s leading the charge? That’s right–the Stroud Effect.

Jets on high alert: Can Stroud extend the Texans’ winning symphony?

His rookie swagger hit peak levels after CJ Stroud served the Broncos a 274-yard masterpiece that even Picasso would applaud. And the Texans were playing chess while the Broncos were stuck in a checkers match, building a 13-0 lead in the second quarter that was as secure as a safety in preventive defense.

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Sure, Stroud took a brief fourth-quarter breather, maybe just to give the Broncos a glimmer of hope. But he hopped back in the game to seal the deal. And get this: he’s still leading the NFL in passing yards, a cool 3,540 of ’em, with a completion rate that’s more accurate than a laser-guided missile at 63%.

Read More: I’d Keep Throwing to Him: Bengals Game Winner Jake Browning Forms Instant Bond With WR1 Ja’Marr Chase

The Texans’ victory dance? It’s not a one-hit-wonder. Stroud and the gang are on a roll, and they’re eyeing the New York Jets as the next team to taste their winning streak.

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Jhelum Mehta

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Jhelum Mehta is an NFL content analyst at EssentiallySports. Having started her journey as a writer, she harbors immense knowledge when it comes to the game of touchdowns and tackles. Her current position at ES allows Jhelum to formulate a gripping analysis of live matches that 'pocket' her perspective pieces and help assemble engaging articles. On account of this, Jhelum has been able to statistically armor her articles and also procure a couple of ‘Editor's picks’ under her belt. Despite the diversity of the articles she has covered, Jhelum predominantly reports on the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs, which also remain an integral theme of her off-court pieces. Away from the enthusiasm and passion of the gridiron, Jhelum devotes her time to crafting stories and "quarterbacking" new dance moves.

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Garima Yadav

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